Before Halloween became associated with costumes, carved pumpkins and trick-or-treating, it was rooted in Samhain, an ancient Gaelic festival of seasonal change. At Navan Centre & Fort in Armagh, visitors can explore the beliefs and rituals that helped shape the celebration recognised around the world today.
Samhain dates back more than 2,000 years and was celebrated across Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. The festival marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, as shorter days gave way to longer, darker nights. Communities gathered around bonfires and feasts, but the occasion carried a deeper spiritual meaning too.
According to the traditions associated with Samhain, the boundary between the living world and the supernatural was at its thinnest at this time of year. Spirits and otherworldly beings were believed to move more freely, prompting rituals intended to protect people and their communities from harm.
How Samhain shaped Halloween customs
Rosaleen Litter, visitor services officer at Navan Centre and Fort, said the supernatural was regarded as a genuine threat rather than simply the subject of stories. People were believed to fear ghosts, demons and fairies, and used disguises as protection.
“For the Celts, the supernatural was not simply something to tell stories about. There was a genuine belief that ghosts, demons and fairies roamed the earth during Samhain and lived in fear of being abducted or harmed by these supernatural beings.”
Litter explained that masks made from animal skins were worn in the belief that they would deceive spirits. That custom later developed into “guising” during the Middle Ages, when people dressed in costume and went from door to door performing in exchange for food and drink. The practice is seen as an early foundation of modern trick-or-treating.
Carved lanterns also have roots in older traditions. Before pumpkins became a familiar Halloween symbol, people carved frightening faces into turnips or potatoes and placed candles inside them. The lanterns were used to frighten away evil spirits and act as protective talismans.
The pumpkin tradition emerged later, after Irish and Scottish immigrants brought these customs to North America during the 19th century. Pumpkins were larger and easier to carve than turnips, helping create the Jack-o’-lanterns now closely associated with Halloween.
Bonfires served a similar protective purpose during Samhain. While much of their original spiritual significance has faded, communities still gather around bonfires each year, preserving one of the festival’s most visible traditions.
Why Navan Centre & Fort is central to the story
Navan Centre and Fort is located in Armagh and is described as one of Ireland’s important archaeological and prehistoric ceremonial sites. It is associated with Emain Macha, the ancient royal capital of Ulster, and its mythology and legends offer a connection to the Gaelic world in which Samhain developed.
The centre continues that connection by presenting the stories and customs of the past to modern audiences. Its Halloween experience includes immersive historical re-enactments, a traditional fire ceremony, storytelling based on ancient tales and appearances by figures including Druids and the Morrigan.
Joanne McElmeel of Navan Centre & Fort said understanding Halloween’s origins offered insight into the beliefs and customs of those who celebrated Samhain more than 2,000 years ago.
“Halloween has become a worldwide phenomenon, but many of us may not know the true origins of the celebration. Understanding where Halloween comes from, and the traditions that shaped it, gives us a fascinating insight into the beliefs and customs of the people who celebrated Samhain more than 2,000 years ago.”
She added that although Halloween had changed substantially over the centuries, many familiar customs still echoed the ancient celebrations and continued to capture people’s imagination.
Visitors to Armagh can experience the origins of Halloween at Navan Centre & Fort this October. Tickets for Samhain: The Beginning are available now, with further information at visitarmagh.com/halloween.